Origin
Laguna, CA
Night in Laguna on Thursday
Local time
11:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
6h 42m
Distance
362.5 mi
583 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$83
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laguna, CA
Tori Pezzulla❤️
Sherman Oaks, CA
Wikimedia Commons
This 362.5-mile journey from Laguna, CA to Sherman Oaks, CA is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 6 hours and 42 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Westside Freeway, I-5 Truck, and I-405 Truck, with the highway making up 98% of the route. This highway-focused drive is estimated to cost around $83 in fuel. Given its length and highway profile, it's a straightforward trip that doesn't necessitate an overnight stop. Both your starting and ending points are within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the scenery consistent with the coastal California vibe.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
181.2 miles from Laguna, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 21m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 42m. Total distance: 362.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 42m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 98% of your travel occurring on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 282.7 miles, primarily on the Westside Freeway. This suggests a consistent pace for much of the drive, allowing you to cover significant ground efficiently. While the data doesn't detail specific road changes, the highway-centric nature indicates a focus on direct travel rather than varied terrain or winding local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Westside Freeway and I 5 Truck. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in near J8 / Franklin Boulevard.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 362.5 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 3.4 miles (J8 / Franklin Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 351.1 miles (I 5 Truck): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 360.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto J8 / Franklin Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck toward I 405 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 101 South, US 101 North: Los Angeles, Ventura
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward US 101 South: Los Angeles, Ventura Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Van Nuys Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Westside Freeway | 282.7 mi | 5h 3m |
| I 5 Truck | 58.6 mi | 1h 7m |
| I 405 Truck | 9 mi | 10m |
| Golden State Freeway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| Franklin Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Hood Franklin Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Ventura Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Elk Grove Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Laguna, CA and Sherman Oaks, CA.
Start on Fall Breeze Court
Turn right onto Mapleview Way
Turn right onto November Drive
Turn right onto Seasons Drive
Turn left onto Laguna Park Drive
Turn left onto Foulks Ranch Drive
Turn right onto E12
Turn left onto J8
Keep slight right at fork onto J8
Turn right onto Hood Franklin Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight left at fork onto I 5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 5 Truck
Keep slight right at fork onto I 405 Truck
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 101
Take the exit
Turn right onto Van Nuys Boulevard
Turn right onto Ventura Boulevard
Turn right
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of about 6 hours and 42 minutes, this drive is comfortably achievable in one day. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight and potentially avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach urban areas. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, though with only one recommended stop, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the 362.5 miles will consume a notable portion of your estimated $83 budget. A useful tip for this route: since it's heavily highway-based, ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained driving.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.2 miles or 3h 21m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sherman Oaks, CA than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Laguna, CA so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Laguna, CA
This is one driving day of about 362.5 miles and 6h 42m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 181.2 mi from Laguna, CA · 3h 21m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
181 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 181.2 miles from Laguna, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Westside Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 282.7 miles.
The final approach into Sherman Oaks, CA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Sherman Oaks, CA.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$83.32 one way
$166.64 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $6.02 | $85.86 | $171.72 |
| premium | $6.18 | $88.16 | $176.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $80.04 | $160.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$83
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$108–$133
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.8 | 1 | $38.06 | $17.40 |
| Efficient EV | 90.6 | 1 | $31.72 | $14.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145 | 1 | $50.75 | $23.20 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Laguna on Thursday
Local time
11:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Sherman Oaks on Thursday
Local time
11:11 PM
PDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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